Paint brush

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a paint brush, a method of using the paint brush and a method of making the paint brush. The paint brush includes a channel within the handle of the brush to provide a fluid to the bristles of the brush. The paint brush can be made by molding a channel into the brush, or by mechanically adding the channel to the handle.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority and benefits under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/384,358 filed on Sep. 7, 2016, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a paint brush, which includes at least one channel to allow a cleaning fluid to pass through the paint brush handle and clean the bristles. The invention also includes a method to use and manufacture the paint brush.

BACKGROUND

Paint brushes are well known devices. Brushes can be used in several applications, from creation of art to painting a room. After their use, it is advantageous to clean the bristles of the brush so that the brush can be reused. Alternatively, the brush is thrown away and replaced. While one end of the bristles may be easy to clean, the second end near the handle can be difficult to clean. The bristles become stiff if not cleaned, making the brush harder to use.

SUMMARY

This invention relates to a paint brush, a method of cleaning the brush and a method to manufacture the same. The paintbrush has several advantages over the prior art brushes. The paintbrush of the present invention allows the top of the bristles (where the bristles contact the handle or the ferrule) to be cleaned, which can prevent or reduce hardening of the bristles compared to rinsing alone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a paintbrush of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed to a paint brush that includes a channel in the handle of the brush for cleaning the brush, a method to clean the brush and a method of making the brush.

An aspect of the invention is a paint brush. The brush includes a handle with a channel, and at least one bristle connected to the handle. The handle and the bristles can be in the same plane.

In some embodiments, there can be a ferrule connected between the handle and the bristles. A material of the ferrule of the paintbrush can be a polymer, metal, wood, combination of materials, or similar materials. The ferrule can also be used to create a seal between the handle and the bristles of the brush. In some embodiments, there can be a plurality of secondary channels within the bristles. The secondary channels can be in the same plane as the bristles. The secondary channels can provide fluid from the channel in the handle to the bristles. Thus, the secondary channels can be connected to the channel in the handle. In some embodiments, the secondary channels can be in the resin that bind the bristles to the handle or ferrule. These secondary channels can be formed with molds in the resins. Materials for the resin can include an epoxy resin that can require a catalyst and a curing agent. The secondary channels can each have a diameter that is less than the diameter of the of the channel in the handle. In some embodiments, the diameter of the secondary channels can be the same diameter as the bristles. In some embodiments, the secondary channels can have a diameter between about 0.1 mm and about 5 mm. The secondary channels can be formed by leaving channels to hold the bristles without the bristle. Any number of secondary channels can be used.

A material of the bristles can be natural, synthetic or combinations thereof. Suitable natural materials include animal hair. Suitable synthetic materials include nylon, polyester, or combinations thereof. The bristles can be square cut or angled. The tip of the bristles can be flagged, tipped, or split. In some embodiments, a foam can be used in place of the bristles. The width of the brush can between about 0.25 inches to about 10 inches.

In some embodiments, the brush can include a backstop. The backstop can be located between the handle and the bristles, the handle and the ferrule, the bristles and the ferrule, or within the ferrule. The backstop can be integral to the paintbrush, or it can be detachable from the brush. The backstop can prevent paint from backflowing into the channel in the handle. In some embodiments, the backstop can be a pin, for example an escutcheon pin, or a bar. The material of the backstop can be metal, wood, plastic material, combination of these materials, or a similar material. In some embodiments, the backstop can open to allow fluid to pass once a pressure is applied by the introduction of the cleaning fluid such that the fluid can pass through, but then closes once the pressure from the fluid is reduced or eliminated.

The handle can be made of any suitable material, including but not limited to, plastic, a polymer, metal, wood, or combinations thereof. Suitable polymers include bakelite, nylon, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, poly (methyl methacrylate), acrylate, acrylic, rubber, or similar materials. Thermoplastics or thermosetting polymers or combinations of these polymers can be used. Suitable metals include including aluminum, aluminum alloy, titanium, steel, steel alloy, combinations thereof or other metallic materials and alloys. The material of the handle can be coated to protect the handle, for example from corrosion. The channel in the handle can be central to the handle or off center. The channel can occupy between about 10 vol. % to about 95 vol. % of the volume of the handle. The handle can include an opening to the channel on a side different from the bristles, for example on a first end of the handle that is opposite from the bristles. The opening can be adapted to attach to a fluid source, for example a hose. By way of example the opening can be threaded, or adapted to receive a stopper. The handle can also include hole(s), hook(s) or a similar device to allow the brush to be hung. The hole, hook or similar device can be placed on the handle so that it does not interfere with the channel in the handle.

In some embodiments, the fluid can be an application fluid. For example, the fluid can be a paint, primer, varnish, or a stain for application to a surface. In some embodiments, the fluid can be a cleaning fluid. The cleaning fluid can remove a contaminant from the brush. Suitable cleaning fluids include, but are not limited to, a solvent, a water, a water with surfactant, an alcohol, a ketone, an oil, a mineral spirit, a thinner and combinations thereof.

An aspect of the invention is a method to clean a brush. The method includes providing fluid to a channel in the handle of the brush. The fluid can flow from the channel to the bristles of the brush to clean the brush.

In some embodiments, the brush can include secondary channels near the first end of the bristles. The secondary channels can provide fluid to clean the bristles of the brush. In some embodiments, a backstop can be used. The backstop can prevent a fluid, for example paint, from entering the channel in the handle. When a cleaning fluid is provided to the brush to clean, the backstop can be removed to allow flow of the fluid from the channel in the handle to the bristles.

The fluid can clean at least a portion of, if not all of, a contaminant from the bristles and other locations on the brush. In some embodiments, greater than 80% of the contaminant is cleaned from the bristles of the brush. The contaminant can be a paint, a primer, a varnish, a dirt, a stain, or combinations thereof. The fluid used can depend on the contaminant. For example, water may be less effective on an oil based contaminant than a solvent. Suitable fluids can include a solvent, a water, a water with surfactant, an alcohol, a ketone, an oil, a mineral spirit, a thinner, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, multiple fluids can be provided to the channel in the handle of the brush consecutively. In conjunction with the fluid being provided to the channel in the handle of the brush, the contaminant can be mechanically removed from the brush. Examples of methods to mechanically remove the contaminant include, but are not limited to, brushing, rubbing, squeezing, rubbing on a textured surface, similar mechanical methods, or combinations thereof. The brush can be soaked in a container with the same fluid, or a different fluid from that provided to the channel in the handle of the brush. The fluid can be provided from the channel in the handle to bristles through secondary channels in some embodiments.

An aspect of the invention is a method to make a brush with a channel in the handle. The method includes preparing a handle with a channel. The channel can be created with a mold or can be mechanically added to the channel (for example by drilling a channel in the handle). A plurality of bristles is attached to the handle. The channel is capable of providing a fluid through the handle to the bristles. The bristles can be attached to the handle with a resin or with a ferrule. The handle, channel, or both, can be surface treated for corrosion protection.

FIG. 1 illustrates a paint brush 100 of the present invention. The paint brush 100 includes a handle 102. Within the handle 102 is a channel 104. The channel 104 can provide a fluid through an opening 112 to the bristles 108. In some embodiments, the opening 112 can include threads 116 on the inside or outside of the opening 112. In some embodiments, the brush 100 can include a ferrule 106 and a backstop 110. The brush 100 can also include secondary channels 114 to provide the fluid from the channel 104 of the handle 102 to the bristles 108.

Ranges have been discussed and used within the forgoing description. One skilled in the art would understand that any sub-range within the stated range would be suitable, as would any number within the broad range, without deviating from the invention.

The foregoing description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Furthermore, the description is not intended to limit the invention to the form disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the above teachings, and the skill or knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the present invention. The embodiment described hereinabove is further intended to explain the best mode known for practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such, or other, embodiments and with various modifications required by the particular applications or uses of the present invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art. 

1. A paint brush, comprising: a handle, wherein the handle comprises a channel; an opening at a first end of the channel and the first end of the handle; a ferrule connected to the handle; at least one bristle connected to the ferrule; and at least one secondary channel, wherein the at least one secondary channel is on the same plane as the at least one bristle.
 2. The paintbrush of claim 1, wherein the at least one secondary channel is in a resin that binds the at least one bristle.
 3. The paintbrush of claim 1, further comprising a backstop, wherein the backstop is located between the handle and the at least one bristle.
 4. The paintbrush of claim 3, wherein the backstop is integral to the paintbrush.
 5. The paintbrush of claim 3, wherein the backstop is detachable from the paintbrush.
 6. The backstop of claim 3, wherein the backstop is an escutcheon pin.
 7. The paintbrush of claim 1, wherein a material of the handle is a plastic, a metal, a wood, and combinations thereof.
 8. The paintbrush of claim 1, wherein the at least one secondary channel is in a resin.
 9. The paintbrush of claim 1, further comprising an adapter at the opening of the first end of the handle.
 10. The paintbrush of claim 9, wherein the adapter connects the paint brush to a fluid source.
 11. The paintbrush of claim 1, further comprising at least one hanging device, wherein the hanging device is not in the channel in the handle.
 12. A method to clean a contaminant from a brush, comprising: providing a fluid to a channel in a handle of the brush; providing the fluid from the channel in the handle of the brush to at least one bristle connected to the handle; and removing at least a portion of the contaminant from the brush.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the brush further comprises at least one secondary channel in the same plane as the at least one bristle, and wherein the at least one secondary channel is connected to the channel of the handle; and providing the fluid from the channel to the at least one secondary channel to clean the brush.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the contaminant is selected from the group consisting of a paint, a primer, a varnish, a dirt, a stain, and combinations thereof.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein the fluid is selected from the group consisting of a solvent, a water, a water with surfactant, an alcohol, a ketone, an oil, a mineral spirit, a thinner, and combinations thereof.
 16. The method of claim 12, further comprising mechanically removing the at least a portion of the contaminant from the at least one bristle while providing the fluid to the channel in the handle of the brush.
 17. The method of claim 12, further comprising providing a second fluid to the channel in the handle of the brush.
 18. A method to make a brush with a channel in a handle of the brush, comprising: providing the channel to the handle; and attaching a plurality of bristles to the handle, wherein the channel is capable of providing a fluid through the handle to the plurality of bristles.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the channel is provided to the handle by molding the handle with the channel.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the channel is provided to the handle by boring a channel into the handle. 